Billing System Integrated into a Milling Machine

ABSTRACT

In one aspect of the present invention, a milling machine is configured for degrading formations. The milling machine comprises a rotary degradation drum disposed on the underside of the machine. The rotary degradation drum comprises a plurality of picks. Additionally, the rotary degradation drum comprises a measuring mechanism that is disposed on the machine and is configured to measure a utilization of the milling machine.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/847,674, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/307,527, which was filed on Feb. 10, 2006. These applications are herein incorporated by reference for all that they contain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to milling machines, specifically milling machines for use in degrading formations. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device to measure the amount of use employed by a milling machine over time.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a milling machine is configured for use in degrading formations. The milling machine comprises a rotary degradation drum disposed on the underside of the machine. The rotary degradation drum comprises a plurality of picks. Additionally, the rotary degradation drum comprises a measuring mechanism that is disposed on the machine and is configured to measure a utilization of the milling machine.

The measuring mechanism may comprise a weight sensor disposed on a conveyor belt disposed on the forward end of the machine. The measuring mechanism may be configured to record the placement of the rotary degradation drum in relation to the surface of a formation. The measuring mechanism may be configured to record the height difference between a forward propulsion mechanism and a rearward propulsion mechanism. The measuring mechanism may comprise a camera disposed on the backside of a moldboard. The camera may be configured to record the measurement of the depth of cut of the rotary degradation drum. A leading edge and a trailing edge may be disposed on a milling chamber on the underside of the machine. The leading edge and trailing edge may be configured to measure the depth of cut on a pass of the machine. The measuring mechanism may comprise an optical device that is disposed on the underside of the machine. The optical device may be configured to measure the dimensions of a degraded formation. The optical device may be a laser, camera, or infrared device.

The measuring mechanism may comprise an optical device that is disposed on the underside of the machine. The optical device may be configured to measure the dimensions of at least one pick. The measuring mechanism may be disposed on or within the rotary degradation drum and may be configured to measure the force applied to the picks. The measuring mechanism may be disposed on or within the rotary degradation drum and may be configured to measure the pressure applied to the picks. The measuring mechanism may be disposed on or connected to at least one pick and may be configured to measure the hardness of a formation upon impact. The measuring mechanism may comprise a vibration sensor with a time stamp and may be disposed on the underside of the machine on the rotary degradation drum.

The measuring mechanism may comprise an energy consumption gauge that may be disposed on a control system disposed on the machine. The measuring mechanism may comprise a torque measurement device that may be in mechanical communication with a central axis of the rotary degradation drum. The measuring mechanism may comprise a rotational speed measurement device that may be in mechanical communication with a central axis of the rotary degradation drum.

A transmitter may be disposed on the machine and may be in electrical communication with the measuring mechanism. The transmitter may be configured to transmit processed information from the machine to a central processor. The rotary degradation drum may be disposed within a curved moldboard. At least one fluid nozzle may be disposed on the underside of the milling machine proximate the rotary degradation drum. The at least one fluid nozzle may be configured to remove aggregate from the plurality of picks and clean the formation. Processed information from the measuring mechanism may be configured to be removed from the machine manually. The plurality of picks may comprise sintered polycrystalline diamond bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a milling machine.

FIG. 2 a is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of an underside of a milling machine.

FIG. 2 b is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of an underside of a milling machine.

FIG. 2 c is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of an underside of a milling machine.

FIG. 2 d is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of an underside of a milling machine.

FIG. 2 e is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of an underside of a milling machine.

FIG. 2 f is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of an underside of a milling machine.

FIG. 3 a is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a milling chamber.

FIG. 3 b is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a milling machine.

FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a rotary degradation drum.

FIG. 5 a is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a milling machine.

FIG. 6 is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a milling machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 discloses a milling machine 100 configured to degrade a formation 101, such as pavement. The underside of the milling machine 100 may comprise a forward and rearward tracks 102, 103. Additionally, the underside of the milling machine 100 may comprise a rotary degradation drum 104 that comprises a plurality of picks 105. The picks 105 may comprise sintered polycrystalline diamond bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate. The rotary degradation drum 104 may be configured to rotate forcing the picks 105 into the formation and thereby degrading it into aggregate. Aggregate may be lifted by the picks 105 and directed onto a conveyor belt 106. The conveyor belt 106 may be disposed at the forward end of the machine 100 and be configured to remove degraded aggregate from a work site.

A measuring mechanism may be disposed on the milling machine 100. The measuring mechanism may be configured to record the use of the plurality of picks 105. In addition, a transmitter 107 may be disposed on the milling machine 100, preferably on the topside of the machine. The transmitter 107 may be in electrical or wireless communication with the measuring mechanism and may be configured to transmit processed and stored information from a local processor 108 on the milling machine 100 to a central processor 109. In some embodiments, the measuring mechanism may be configured to permit manual removal of the stored information from the local processor 108.

FIGS. 2 a-2 f disclose various mechanism for determining the use or wear of a milling machine during operation. Generally, these figures disclose perspective diagrams of a milling machine 100 engaged in degrading a formation 101. As the rotary degradation drum 104 rotates into the formation 101, the picks 105 may direct the aggregate to the conveyor belt 106. Some of the aggregate may be carried over the drum 104 where the aggregate may fall onto a curved moldboard 202 or into the cut formed by the rotary degradation drum 104.

The moldboard 202 may be positioned rearward the rotary degradation drum 104 and curved in toward it. The end of the moldboard 202 may be configured to push loose aggregate forward. In some cases, the moldboard 202 may direct loose aggregate forward into the degradation zone. This aggregate may be directed by the rotary degradation drum 104 back to the conveyor belt 106. At least one fluid nozzle 200 may be positioned rearward the moldboard 202 and direct the aggregate forward. A fluid stream from the nozzles 200 may prevent aggregate from escaping under the moldboard 202 and may push the aggregate towards the degradation zone. In some embodiments, the nozzle 200 may fog, mist, spray, and/or shoot liquid underneath an end of the moldboard 202.

The measuring mechanism may be used to determine the wear or use of the machine and/or picks. Various parameters may be measured, which are described below, that may be combined to determine the use or wear. In some embodiments, a single parameter may be used to determine a use or wear. Billing arrangements may be based off of the use or wear of the machine. Thus, the parameters measured by the machine may be used to determine a charge for the machine or determine if charges for use of a millings were cost effective.

The measured parameters may be stored locally on the machine or transmitted to on site equipment for storage. In some embodiments, the data is transmitted (from either the machine directly or from on-site equipment) to an off site location for processing. For example, the data may be transmitted directly from the machine to a satellite that directs the data to a central location where billing is processed.

This system is advantageous for the machine owner, the pick owner, of the owner of any other rented parts on the milling machine. The system is also advantageous for the renter because it reduces his paperwork.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 a discloses an optical device 203 disposed rearward the rotary degradation drum 104. The optical device 203 may be configured to survey the degradation zone. The optical device 203 may be a laser or a camera. The optical device may scan the formation 101, record degraded dimensions of the cut, record the length of the cut, record the width of the cut, and record the depth of cut. Combined, the scanned dimensions may determine the volume of the cut. This volume may contribute to determining use or wear that the picks 105.

FIG. 2 b discloses an optical device 205 disposed on the inside of the milling chamber 201. The optical device 205 may be configured to measure the dimensions of the picks 105. The picks' dimensions may be measured prior, after, and during an operation.

FIG. 2 c discloses a measuring mechanism comprising a vibration sensor 206. The intensity of the vibration may correlate with the intensity of the force required to degrade the formation 101. The vibration sensor 206 may send signals from the vibration sensor to the local processor. The vibration sensor 206 may be coupled with a time stamp; thus, correlating the time with significant vibratory events during milling. The recordings may determine how long the machine 100 was subjected to various forces and contribute to determining the use of the machine.

FIG. 2 d discloses a measuring mechanism disposed on the inside of the milling chamber. The measuring mechanism may comprise a camera 207 that may be disposed on the backside of the moldboard 202. The camera 207 may be configured to measure and record the depth, width, and length of the cut per pass that the rotary degradation drum 104 makes. The data recorded by the camera 207 may determine the amount of wear subjected to the milling machine 100. The information recorded by the camera 207 may be processed and stored in a local processor.

FIG. 2 e discloses a measuring mechanism 208 placed on a support of the rotary degradation drum 104 that record the placement of the rotary degradation drum 104 with respect to the formation 101. The measuring mechanism may process and store data regarding the placement of the rotary degradation drum 104. The placement of the rotary degradation drum 104 with respect to the formation 101 may determine the amount of use and/or wear the of the milling machine 100.

FIG. 2 f discloses the rotary degradation drum 104 comprising a measuring mechanism 209. A wire 210 may connect the measuring mechanism 209 to at least one pick 105. The measuring mechanism 209 may be configured to measure the force applied to the picks 105 disposed on the drum 104. The measuring mechanism 209 may be configured to measure the pressure, force, strain, stress, and/or loads applied to the picks 105.

FIG. 3 a discloses a milling chamber 201 for a milling machine. FIG. 3 b discloses the same milling chamber 201 incorporated into the milling machine 100. A leading edge 300 may be positioned against an uncut portion of the pavement while a trailing edge 301 may be positioned against the bottom of the cut. The difference in elevation between the leading edge 300 and the trailing edge 301 may be used to determine volume of material removed from the road surface. A dotted line 302 discloses this elevation difference. A gauge 350 may record the difference in elevation and another mechanism may measure the distance that the machine travels during an operation. The trailing end may be automatically or manually adjusted as the depth of cut changes. The distance combined with the depth may determine the degraded volume 101 in a single pass. These measurements may be timed stamped and correlated with other activities according during the same time. For example, the elevation differences that are recorded during a period of time where the drum was not rotating will not contribute to the total volume.

FIG. 4 discloses a measuring mechanism 401 disposed along the central axis 400 of the drum. The measuring mechanism 401 may be configured to measure the torque or rotational speed of the rotary degradation drum 104. The horsepower required to operate the rotary degradation drum 104 may be calculated to determine the use of the machine.

FIG. 5 a discloses a conveyor belt 106 disposed proximate the rotary degradation drum 104. At least one scale 501 may be disposed on the upper side of the belt and be configured to determine the weight placed on the conveyor belt 106. The presumped added weight to the conveyor belt correlates to the volume of pavement removed by the machine. However, in embodiments where a water (or other liquid) is used to clean the road or reduce dust, the weight added to the conveyor belt may include additional material. The machine may be configured to determine the amount of moisture that the machine adds to the milling process and adjust the weight on the conveyor belt accordingly. In other embodiments, a support structure that holds the conveyor belt in place may be configured to determine the added weight.

FIG. 6 further discloses a local processor 108 disposed on the topside of the milling machine 100. The local processor 108 may measure the machine's energy consumption. The quantity of consumed resources may aid in determining the extent of the machine's use.

A measuring mechanism may be configured to record the difference in depth of the forward and rearward tracks 102, 103. In addition, the measuring mechanism may be configured to record the distance over which each difference in depth occurs. The measuring mechanism may be configured to store the data. The stored data may be used to determine the extent in which the machine 100 was in use.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 

1. A milling machine for degrading formations, comprising: a rotary degradation drum disposed on the underside of the machine; the rotary degradation drum comprises a plurality of picks; and a measuring mechanism disposed on the machine that is configured to measure a utilization of the machine.
 2. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises a weight sensor and is disposed on a conveyor belt disposed on the machine.
 3. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanisms configured to record the placement of the rotary degradation drum in relation to the surface of a formation.
 4. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism is configured to record the difference in height between a forward propulsion mechanism and a rearward propulsion mechanism.
 5. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises a camera disposed on the backside of a moldboard and is configured to measure the depth of cut of the rotary degradation drum.
 6. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein a leading edge and a trailing edge are disposed on a milling chamber on the underside of the machine and are configured to measure the depth of cut on a pass of the machine.
 7. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises an optical device that is disposed on the underside of the machine and is configured to measure the dimensions of a degraded formation.
 8. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises an optical device that is disposed on the underside of the machine and is configured to measure the dimensions of at least one pick.
 9. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism is disposed within the rotary degradation drum and is configured to measure the force applied to the picks.
 10. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism is disposed within the rotary degradation drum and is configured to measure the pressure applied to the picks.
 11. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism is disposed on at least one pick and is configured to measure the hardness of a formation upon impact.
 12. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises a vibration sensor with a time stamp and is disposed on the underside of the machine on the rotary degradation drum.
 13. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises an energy consumption gauge that is disposed on a control system disposed on the machine.
 14. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises a torque measurement device in mechanical communication with a central axis of the rotary degradation drum.
 15. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises a rotational speed measurement device in mechanical communication with a central axis of the rotary degradation drum.
 16. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein a transmitter in electrical communication with the measuring mechanism is disposed on the machine and configured to transmit processed information from the machine to a central processor.
 17. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein a curved moldboard is disposed around the rotary degradation drum.
 18. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein a fluid nozzle is disposed on the underside of the milling machine and is configured to remove aggregate from the plurality of picks and clean the formation.
 19. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein processed information from the measuring mechanism is configured to be removed from the machine manually.
 20. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of picks comprises sintered polycrystalline diamond bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate. 